How to Pronounce Tears

To pronounce "tears", say TEARS — one syllable, IPA /tiːɹz/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

tears

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Accent

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Speed

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Syllable

Letters

/tiːɹz/

IPA

"tears" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with sneers and airs, if that helps it stick.

noun

A hole or break caused by tearing.
“A small tear is easy to mend, if it is on the seam.”
A rampage.
“to go on a tear”

verb

To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.
“He tore his coat on the nail.”
To injure as if by pulling apart.
“He has a torn ligament.”

noun

A drop of clear, salty liquid produced from the eyes by crying or irritation.
“Ryan wiped the tear from the paper he was crying on.”
Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

How many syllables are in "tears"?▾

"Tears" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "tears"?▾

The IPA transcription of "tears" is /tiːɹz/.

What does "tears" mean?▾

Tears: A hole or break caused by tearing.

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